Dakota Heckler, 7, was seriously injured the first weekend of December when he was attacked by two American bulldogs at his aunt's home in Pasadena. The dogs ripped off the boy's scalp, fractured his skull and nearly killed him, his family said.

On Sunday, hundreds of people came out to help raise money to pay for Dakota's medical expenses, and Dakota himself was well enough to be there.

"It's amazing. It's just amazing. I would have never thought all these people would have come out just for my little buddy," said Dakota's father, Derek, who was stunned and grateful for the hundreds of friends and neighbors who spent their Sunday afternoon supporting his son and celebrating his recovery.

Dakota still has cuts on his face from the attack, and he wears a bandage around his head while his injuries heal. But these days, he also wears a smile again.

"Thank you. I love you guys," the boy told the crowd.

"He's doing much better. He's back in school, he's back in phys ed, and he's like himself now. He's got his little attitude back -- his little personality," Heckler said of his son.

He said there will be no serious long-term consequences, but Dakota is still healing. The boy now goes to counseling to help him get over his fear of dogs, and his dad said he might need another surgery to help his hair grow back.

An 11-day stay at Johns Hopkins Children's Center left the family with a mountain of medical bills, so one of his aunts, Shawne O'Connor, organized the benefit.

"You feel awkward asking for money. I mean, everybody has troubles -- financial issues -- so we wanted to be gentle about it, but people just kind of stormed us with generosity, and it's been huge," O'Connor said.

Just about everything from the DJ to the door prizes were donated. The family said they're thankful for the financial and emotional support they've gotten, but they're most thankful to see Dakota on the mend.

"When I walked in and saw him in the ER, I just didn't -- I never would have expected this. I just wanted him home, and now, to look at him and see that he'll be able to play sports again -- do all that again -- it's just incredible," Heckler said.

Dakota's dad said there a lot of people that have been looking out for his son. The Anne Arundel County police officers who stopped the attack have been visiting him as he recovers, and Heckler said Dakota's teacher came to his house to help him make up the work he missed.

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